Irish Navy rescues 647 in Mediterranean Sea • Italy rescues 4,400

In two separate operations about 50 miles north-west off the Libyan capital Tripoli, men, women and children were taken off two wooden barges.

The crew of the LE Eithne took part in the first search and rescue after transferring a group of 593 migrants to HMS Bulwark.

The first rescue started at about 8am Irish time when 330 people were safely taken from a barge and immediately afterwards the crew was tasked to assist with another rescue of 317 migrants on another barge.